Florida: Football In The Fast Lane

November 17, 1991|By Gerald Ensley, Knight-Ridder Tribune News.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Lee Corso laughs at the idea that speed is a new ingredient in college football.

``I just read an article by Grantland Rice from back in the 1920s, and the whole thing is about how fast those Army teams were,`` said Corso, an ESPN broadcaster and former Indiana head coach and Florida State player. ``Speed has always been there in college football.``

But Corso does believe this: There are more fast players in today`s college football, and lots of them are in Florida.

``There are several reasons. But basically, there is more speed out there because there are more people out there,`` Corso said.

``And when a recruiter goes looking for that kind of athlete, he goes to California, Texas and Florida.``

As Miami and Florida State move toward Saturday`s showdown here, there is a consensus that if you go looking for the fastest teams in the nation, you will find them in Florida.

In a season that finds them ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation, Florida State and Miami are considered the fastest two teams-with No. 5 Florida not far behind.

California and Texas may be equal breeding grounds for speed. But in 1991, the three Florida schools have harvested it best.

``I haven`t seen (No. 3) Washington play, and I would suspect they have great speed,`` said Louisville coach Howard Schnellenberger.

``I can`t imagine, though, that anyone has anymore speed than the Florida schools.``

Know, of course, that ranking speed in football is a subjective exercise. It differs in its various adjectives-mobility, agility, quickness.

It prospers in the face of a few spectacular examples.

Take Miami. The Hurricanes` fastest player is Kevin Williams, a kick returner-receiver who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds. Williams is second in the nation in punt returns and has broken three for touchdowns.

Or take Florida State. The Seminoles` fastest player is Terrell Buckley, a defensive back-punt returner, who runs the 40 in 4.34 seconds (wide receiver Shannon Baker also runs a 4.34). Buckley leads the nation in interceptions (nine) and last year was sixth in punt returns.

``We got beat by punt returns both times,`` said Penn State coach Joe Paterno, whose team lost to Florida State in the 1990 Blockbuster Bowl and to Miami earlier this season.

``Buckley ran one back to set up Florida State`s first touchdown. Williams ran one back to put Miami up by two touchdowns.

``Each time, we had them cornered. Each time, they got away. That was sheer speed.``

But the reputations for speed of Miami and Florida State rest on more than any single individual.

Both teams have speed at what used to be considered unlikely positions-linebacker, defensive line and fullback-as well as the conventional

``speed`` positions of running back and wide receiver.

Consider that Miami`s top three linebackers are faster than all but one of the Miami running backs. Consider that Florida State fullback William Floyd spotted a Louisiana State defensive back 20 yards, yet tackled him before he could carry an interception into the end zone.

Consider that each team has at least one defensive lineman (FSU`s Dan Footman, Miami`s Anthony Hamlet) who runs the 40 in 4.6 seconds-which was once good speed for a running back.

``Speed is the key to what we do on both sides of the ball,`` said Miami head coach Dennis Erickson. ``We might take a linebacker with good 4.8 speed and convert him to a defensive end. Now, he`s got great speed.``

So know that when football observers talk about the speed of the Florida schools, they are marveling at a team-wide characteristic, fostered by several statewide characteristics that produce fast players.

``The difference I see is that a state like South Carolina may produce 35 to 50 Division I players a year; Florida will produce 250,`` said Clemson quarterback coach Rick Stockstill, a former Florida State quarterback.

``In South Carolina, 10 of those recruits will have great speed. In Florida, 50 of them will.``

And why is that? In talks with various football people these reasons come up repeatedly:

Population-With Florida`s approaching 13 million, making it the nation`s fourth-largest state, there is just a larger pool of athletes to draw from than most states.

``People are moving to Florida all the time, lots of times because the economy got tough in the North and they moved South to find jobs,`` Corso said.

``Everybody who comes has two kids-and one of them is usually a football player.``

Warm weather-As any tourist will tell you, Florida is the place for outdoor activities, year-round.

``I just feel when you`re down in Florida, with the sunshine, a kid that`s 13, 14 years old is more apt to go swimming, throw the ball around, sweat, exercise,`` said Miami offensive line coach Art Kehoe.

``I know myself, growing up in Philadelphia, when it`s cold and freezing out, I want to go home, cook some popcorn and watch some tube.

``I think that other kid (in Florida) is more apt to go out and develop his motor skills and coordination.``